Graphical Abstract:

Abstract:

Background: The serological diagnostic methods currently available for mucocutaneous
leishmaniasis (MCL) lack specificity when complete parasites are used; however, such specificity
increases when protein fractions are used. Ribosomal proteins have been reported to induce antibodies
in animal and humans infected with the parasite, making them a worth candidate to assess its
diagnosis potential.

Methods: It was used 8 and 13 peptides derived from ribosomal proteins 25 and S5 respectively as
antigens in order to detect IgG antibodies by ELISA in people with active MCL, Chagas disease
(CH) and autoimmune disease (AID).

Results: 4 of these 21 peptides (P4, P6, P19 and P21) had the greatest sensitivity (21.7%, 13.04%,
20% and 20%, respectively) as well as having 95%, 100%, 100% and 82.5% specificity, respectively.

Conclusion: The study revealed the limited usefulness of the peptides being studied as a diagnostic
tool in the conditions used here, because its low sensitivity, but it is worth highlighting that the use
of peptides as antigen in the serodiagnosis of MCL may overcome the cross reaction presented with
other antigens, thus avoiding false positives.

Abstract:Background: The serological diagnostic methods currently available for mucocutaneous
leishmaniasis (MCL) lack specificity when complete parasites are used; however, such specificity
increases when protein fractions are used. Ribosomal proteins have been reported to induce antibodies
in animal and humans infected with the parasite, making them a worth candidate to assess its
diagnosis potential.

Methods: It was used 8 and 13 peptides derived from ribosomal proteins 25 and S5 respectively as
antigens in order to detect IgG antibodies by ELISA in people with active MCL, Chagas disease
(CH) and autoimmune disease (AID).

Results: 4 of these 21 peptides (P4, P6, P19 and P21) had the greatest sensitivity (21.7%, 13.04%,
20% and 20%, respectively) as well as having 95%, 100%, 100% and 82.5% specificity, respectively.

Conclusion: The study revealed the limited usefulness of the peptides being studied as a diagnostic
tool in the conditions used here, because its low sensitivity, but it is worth highlighting that the use
of peptides as antigen in the serodiagnosis of MCL may overcome the cross reaction presented with
other antigens, thus avoiding false positives.